ironServices.com

English Dictionary

  • Hide translation

 act act /ækt/

noun

  1. () (law) a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee, society or legislative body  ( enactment , act )
    (law) a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee, society or legislative body
  2. () Something that people do or cause to happen  ( deed , human activity , human action , act )
    something that people do or cause to happen
  3. () A subdivision of a play, opera or ballet  ( act )
    a subdivision of a play, opera or ballet
  4. () A short performance that is part of a longer program  ( bit , turn , routine , act , number )
    a short performance that is part of a longer program
     He did his act three times every evening
    he did his act three times every evening
     She had a catchy little routine
    she had a catchy little routine
     It was one of the best numbers he ever did
    it was one of the best numbers he ever did
  5. A manifestation of insincerity  ( act )
    a manifestation of insincerity
     He put on quite an act for her benefit
    he put on quite an act for her benefit

verb

  1. () Perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)  ( move , act )
    perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
     Think before you act
    think before you act
     We must move quickly
    We must move quickly
     The governor should act on the new energy bill
    The governor should act on the new energy bill
     The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel
    The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel
  2. () Behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself  ( do , behave , act )
    behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself
     You should act like an adult
    You should act like an adult
     Don't behave like a fool
    Don't behave like a fool
     What makes her do this way?
    What makes her do this way?
     The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people
    The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people
  3. () (performing arts) Perform a role or part  ( represent , act , play )
    (performing arts) Perform a role or part
     Gielgud played Hamlet
    Gielgud played Hamlet
     She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role
    She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role
     She played the servant to her husband's master
    She played the servant to her husband's master
  4. () Discharge one's duties  ( act )
    discharge one's duties
     She acts as the chair
    She acts as the chair
     In what capacity are you acting?
    In what capacity are you acting?
  5. () Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind  ( act as , act , play )
    pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
     He acted the idiot
    He acted the idiot
     She plays deaf when the news are bad
    She plays deaf when the news are bad
  6. (dramaturgy) perform on a stage or theater  ( act , play , playact , roleplay )
    (dramaturgy) perform on a stage or theater
     She acts in this play
    She acts in this play
     He acted in Julius Caesar'
    He acted in Julius Caesar'
     I played in A Christmas Carol'
    I played in A Christmas Carol'
  7. Behave unnaturally or affectedly  ( act , dissemble , pretend )
    behave unnaturally or affectedly
     She's just acting
    She's just acting
  8. Be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure  ( act )
    be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure
  9. Have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected  ( act , work )
    have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected
     The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought
    The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought
     How does your idea work in practice?
    How does your idea work in practice?
     This method doesn't work
    This method doesn't work
     The breaks of my new car act quickly
    The breaks of my new car act quickly
     The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water
    The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water
  10. Be suitable for theatrical performance  ( act )
    be suitable for theatrical performance
     This scene acts well
    This scene acts well